Auburn Music Project

Ramble Society @ APT 7/7/09

2009-07-08T12:42:00.002-04:00

A Word From the Mac

2009-06-07T17:49:00.013-04:00

Too Bad $arah Couldn't Visit Spirits

or someone should have at least had her sit in the electric chair at Swaby's for that perfect Bride Of Frankenstein photo shot.

well i'm deeply sorry that i can't be there to have shared this tragi-comic event w/ you all. and to greet and perhaps to have been able to spontaneously serenade the Palin Posse streetside w/ anyone who'd care to join me. {'trouble ahead, oh lady in red...' Casey Jones, Mean Woman Blues, Hey Sarah [where ya goin w/ that gun in yer hand], etc etc}

and yeah i gotta say it's something for the auburn area...the hatred out there for her is just foolish....what's the proverb about hate blinding you to your 'enemies'. tho she sure is easy to disagree w/, and amusing and befuddling, there are certainly much worse people in the world.

so it just makes me shake my head and grin from across the miles here. i don't know why, it really cracks me up.

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2009/05/how_auburn_reeled_in_one_of_bi.html

the auburn guys in this piece seem to be on the right track to get some some things goin' it seems [?]. you know better than i but it's good to see someone at least tryin to do something.

alright for now, s
(Steve McAvoy)

this is for you, Steve:

Ramble-n-Roll Revue: A Concert Benefit for John Reilly

2009-05-08T08:26:00.005-04:00

Sunday May 17th, 2009
Polish Falcons, Auburn, NY
12 noon - 8 pm
Live music, food, door prizes, raffles

Deauville Ramble On!

2008-09-25T13:39:00.001-04:00

LOCATION: Go to the traffic circle at the foot of the lake, there is a gas station/store, right next to it is a "driveway" to the bridge to deauville island. Park near the bridge. Cross the bridge and look over to your left, toward the back of the store and you will see a shelter surrounded by trees. There are lots of picnic tables, a fireplace, and a charcoal cooker. The shelter is for rent, but it would seem that as long as no one has it reserved, we can use it.

BRING: Beverage, flashlight, chair if you don't like picnic tables, food if you want to eat, plastic bag to take your trash with you, something to put your cigarette butts in if you smoke, and of course your instruments. (There is no electricity for shelter squatters.) We will bring firewood, candles, corkscrew, and cups.

TONIGHT 7 PM

see map below.

Deauville Ramble: Thursdays, 7 pm, Deauville Island Conservation Shelter

2008-09-19T11:27:00.008-04:00

View Larger Map

So, last night we had our first Deauville Ramble on the shores of beautiful Owasco Lake, and it was so much fun!! We built a fire in the fireplace, and jammed from 7:00 - 11:30 pm... with a few breaks here and there... Levon Helm would be proud. If you missed it, do not despair-- it was so much fun, we want to do it again next Thursday. If you did not already get this information, here it is again:

LOCATION: Go to the traffic circle at the foot of the lake, there is a gas station/store, right next to it is a "driveway" to the bridge to deauville island. Park near the bridge. Cross the bridge and look over to your left, toward the back of the store and you will see a shelter surrounded by trees. There are lots of picnic tables, a fireplace, and a charcoal cooker. The shelter is for rent, but it would seem that as long as no one has it reserved, we can use it.

BRING: Beverage, flashlight, chair if you don't like picnic tables, food if you want to eat, plastic bag to take your trash with you, something to put your cigarette butts in if you smoke, and of course your instruments. (There is no electricity for shelter squatters.) We will bring firewood, candles, corkscrew, and cups. SEE YOU NEXT THURSDAY!!

note: we will attempt this every thursday, 7 pm, from now until it gets too frikkin' cold.

Two Great Bands for Free!

2008-08-11T15:53:00.002-04:00

Teenager at Hoopes Park
Teenager takes the Hoopes Park stage at 6:30pm on Tuesday evening. Teenager first album "Entitled" was named one of the Top 10 albums of 2007 by the Post- Standard. In addition to being a great band, more importantly they are some amazing friends of mine. You owe it to yourself to check them out! After they finish they are showing the movie "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium".

DATE: Tuesday August 12th
TIME: 5:30pm-8:30pm
LOCATION: Hoopes Park
Teenager Website

Kevin Dorsey Collective in downtown Auburn!
Dan Schuster and the Auburn BID have done an amazing job of bringing a wide variety of music back to downtown this summer. On Wednesday, we will be performing at the Market Street Stage. I hope you will join us!
Date: Wednesday August 13th
Time: 7-9pm
Location: Market Street Stage
Kevin Dorsey website

(special thankx to KDC email reminders!)

Teenager @ Swifty's Tavern, Sunday June 29th, 6-9pm

2008-06-19T09:14:00.004-04:00

painting by Jessie Reich

Swifty's
45 Perrine St
Auburn, NY
13021
(315) 252-6309

Memorial Weekend Music Festival @ Auburn Public Theater

2008-05-19T10:43:00.006-04:00

You gotta come down and check this out - it's sure to be a blast.

The music goes all day, starting at 1 pm with The Tease (featuring members of Teenager) doing strip-down, lo-fi drum and bass madness, continuing with some of Auburn's most talented musicians, outside in the Exchange Street Mall right next to the APT, all day long. People like John Reilly, Erin Brown, Peterson and Dennihy and Jenny Chamberlain are going to be playing music back to back right up until 7 pm! Outside!

Then, the party continues inside with a whole other line up of Auburn's best rockers including Eric Brown and the Scapegoats as well as The Infrared Radiation Orchestra (featuring members of Static Cling), The Curtis Berry Project playing smokin' blues and swing and of course, The APT House Band.

THIS IS A BYO BEVERAGE EVENT!!!!

SEE YOU THERE!

TEEANAGER and Its Last Fling with Spirits

2008-02-18T17:04:00.008-05:00

The night was clear for the most part. At about 9:30pm, Teenager took the stage for the last time ever. It was a strange, surreal feeling that still has yet to set in - in less than two weeks this place will be gone.

It means different things to different people.

Steve McAvoy, Auburn's own beat-punk poet laureate-in-exile, cabled in this little eulogy-poem from Portland, OR when he heard about Spirits closing.

TO THE LAST LAST CALL

on a good night at spirits the moon was always full.

and jim morrison was on the jukebox baby.

we sang along to the songs we've always known...

to each other, to whoever was at the bar and to the new girl in town who's here
for the season
with the merry-go-round theatre.

so here's to summer girlfriends

and snowed in winters with restless friends

hard goodbyes and sweet hellos

the state street blues

and my midnight walking shoes

to open mikes and next round hikes

spontaneous jazz and blue excursions

rock n' roll bluegrass folk punk explosions

to the dean martin in all of us

and our rasta hearts and illegal smiles

i saw john stevens behind the bar

doing the werewolves of london

and suddenly it was 1969

and i'm ordering a cherry coke at poolos

and about to go across the street to the pool hall

"wild world" comes on and it's 1970

and i'm hanging outfront of Jokers on a school night

watching them change the marquee

of the Palace Theatre

one thanksgiving eve

i could have sworn

that half the crowd use to be at Sour Grapes

this was home away from home

on countless vacations, crash landings

and passings thru

Spirits was aptly named

as it was the last holdout of a time and place

and spirit,

of a downtown auburn

now that has only left Hunters Diner-

left precariously standing on it's one stilt,

deep in the ancient mud

of the eternal owasco outlet

and i'm sorry i can't be here tonight

and whenever is the last last call

so for me, and as jimi hendrix said,

for our friends that can't be here tonite,

drink and party for us too

and dance critters dance!!!

And that's how the evening began.

Teenager would like to sincerely thank everyone who came out to see us. You made the night. The value of any band comes down to its audience, the energy and satisfaction of which in turn feed the band, who in turn give back to the crowd, "infinitely". Speaking for myself, from beginning to end, it was the kinda night where I could lean my head back and smile, filled with gratitude for all the wonderful people in the room and for the opportunity to play music on that very stage for all these 15+ years.

It swelled my heart right up, it did.

Tell ya a story: I was in a band in high school called Stubby Duk. We were like the Velvet Undergroung meets Captain and Tenille. We played music because it was fun.

And so we heard about this open mic at the Polish Home (remember that place), upstairs in the bar, which was called Upper Limits, or something. And there were these two crazy guys who ran the open mic, Mike Doyle and Donny Alger, who were in a band called Ladybug, which was one of the best Auburn bands ever, if you like good rock and roll music. And these guys got the biggest kick out of us. This was winter '91, maybe early '92. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was only a few months old.

Anyway, we only played that place one time. It closed down soon after. But Donny and Mike had moved the open-mic to Spirits. So we followed and the rest is history.

Twas there that I met Mr. Terry Cuddy who was, in fact, the very first person I had ever met in my life who said he actually liked Auburn. I was getting turned on to a lot of Far Out ideas at that time but that one just blew my mind.

Spirits Open-Mic lasted roughly 15 years.

Basically, Teenager formed directly out of the maelstrom that was the Spirits Sunday night Open-Mic scene. I used to back up Terry on bass doing his originals or the occasional Springsteen cover. Donny I knew since the beginning. Sometimes it's all about having a place to engage. And that was Spirits.

And it is to that that we say goodbye but not for long. Some other place will come along. There's the Theater. That place has already spawned a bunch of different creative entities. And Suzy's out on the west end has bands booked through the summer I have heard.

Personally, I vote for Teddy's. That place is great. It's just that Teddy would rather not be the place where everyone hangs out, which is exactly what makes it so cool. But there's a decent juke box and that cool bowling game. Maybe not the place to have a big art opening or CD release party but definitely a good place to get together with your closest friends and plot the next cultural renaissance for this sleepy little beatnik-utopia.

Will there ever be any place like Spirits?

Well, that remains to be seen.

Peace,
rev

TEENAGER LIVES

2008-01-28T18:22:00.001-05:00

You may be asking yourself, does this guy only write about Teenager?

And the answer to that is, no. I write 80-90% about Teenager. But hopefully that will change.

Today I wanted to let you know that you can listen to three new/old Teenager recordings from when we were ten years closer to actually being teenagers. This is Teenager verite, the original, primal gurglings of new inspiration, summer '98.

Check Droppin' Out, especially, to hear the difference from the current version Teenager does. If you haven't heard that, go here.

And if you like that, go here.

And in case you didn't know, Teenager is now on itunes.

TEENAGER To Grace The Spirits' Stage One Last Time

2008-01-24T20:19:00.000-05:00

Can we truly be sad? Our sadness is merely one teardrop in a collossal bucket of beer, booze and vomit. Can we be sad when we think of all the good times we had?

The Reverend thinks back to times he'd rather forget...

So we hemmed and we hawed. We said, shouldn't we just let it go and say goodbye gracefully? And the answer rose like so much whiskey and bile, irrepressibly forcing itself into our consciousness: NO! That is not the way to say goodbye. We must be excessive and play one more time. This one's for you, Auburn. And may we never forget you, dear Spirits.

TEENAGER will rock once more, February 15th, at a time to be announced.

TEENAGER would like you all to come and say goodbye to the late, great Spirits. Drink to her demise while the warm blood still courses through her veins; the virile soul of a mighty beast yet stirs.

TEENAGER wants you to come, get drunk, rock out with yer %$#@ out and have a good time with us for old times sake.

It could get crazy.

TEENAGER @ Spirits (one last time) February 15, 2008.

In other news, you can now buy TEENAGER music on itunes. This guy just found out about it and look how happy he is:

Static Cling @ Spirits TONIGHT!!!

2008-01-18T17:58:00.000-05:00

People. This is the Reverend here.

And all I have to say is,

Get Thy mother-lovin' arse down to the bar for one last go with the band that started the whole thing in the beginning. Static Cling at Spirits, tonight.

Don't be foolish.

rev

Check Out Kevin Dorsey Music

2008-01-16T17:44:00.000-05:00

Kevin Dorsey is a local bassplayer/composer/genius who, to put it simply, blows our minds. This guy is so frikkin' good. He's won two Sammies and has recorded (at least three) albums in addition to founding the Central New York Jazz Composers Co-operative. Go check out his websites, go see him play, buy his music and tell your friends.

Here's what people are saying about him:

A Collective Christmas- 2007 Syracuse Area Music Award (SAMMY)- Best Jazz Recording

Gateway- 2006 Syracuse Area Music Award (SAMMY)- Best Jazz Recording

"Gateway is one of the best mainstream jazz albums of 2005".- Peter Nemes-Nagy/ Dunakanyar Rádió, Hungary

"Gateway is a real gem of an album that showcases the musical depth and talents of a rising new star, composer and bassist extraordinaire Kevin Dorsey. ... a breakout album for the Kevin Dorsey Collective”.- Edward Blanco/ Jazz Review.com

"Gateway, from Kevin Dorsey's Collective represents the group's most ambitious recording to date...effortlessly blending different dynamics and phrasing in ways that clearly illustrate the band's knack for transcending genres and rhythms”.- Eric Cohen/ WAER, Syracuse, NY

"Captivating music! Melody, harmony, energy all blend into a happy music, guaranteed to put you into good mood”.- Ilan Oz/ Radio Judaica Brussels, Belgium

“The musical stylings of Kevin Dorsey truly keeps real jazz alive”.- J.Otis Williams/ KSDS Jazz 88, San Diego, CA.

“The melody and acoustic bass lines evoke a meeting between Michael Brecker and Charlie Haden”.- Joe Knipes/ Jazz Improv

“Inner Journey demonstrates how the Collective have gelled into one instrument and synergistically deliver the music”.- Chuck Vecoli/ JazzReview.com

“Exquisite... Dorsey certainly delivers”.- Michael Coyle/ Cadence Magazine

“... nicely balanced, unfolding in the manner of a suite, shifting between subtly different rhythmic feelings and tonal colors.... This is music that creeps up on you”.- Peter Westbrook/ Jazz Review.com

“The music on Gateway is beautiful jazz with dark undercurrents. The Collective are talented interpreters of Dorsey’s songs. They groove and capture the subtle nuances of the compositions”.- Lester French/ WMEB, Orono, Maine

"Central New York's premier jazz group”.- Julie Pinsonneault/ Syracuse New Times

“Kevin Dorsey is fast becoming Central New York’s most prolific recording artists”.- Russ Tarby/ Syracuse City Eagle

Static Cling at Spirits (Last Time Ever) Friday January 18th, 2008

2008-01-12T13:17:00.000-05:00

Make sure to come out and see Static Cling for their last performance at Spirits Tavern in Auburn, NY on Friday January 18th. Just to clarify, this is not Static Cling's last gig, just their last gig at Spirits.

As you all know, Spirits is closing after some 30 years or so and the Cling would like to go out big. The band has stated that they may go completely APE SH*T and blow the roof off the entire bar, if the feeling is right.

The Rev. here is not one to get all nostalgic, especially for a place where I've spent thousands upon thousands of dollars on beer and booze, wasting countless hours in sloppy drunken bachanalia, but you've gotta admit, Spirits really has a been a landmark of Auburn culture for many years.

Once upon a time, Spirits was the only freak bar in town, the only place to get away from the mesh hats and gun racks that characterized practically every other sports bar around. I, myself, as just a young reverend, began my musical career at Spirits' famous Sunday night Open Mic (with the now nearly-mythological Stubby Duk). I couldn't even celebrate my 21st there, since it would have been bad news for my bartender friends who'd been serving me for two years already.

But enough of that. Just come on out and see a great band at a (once) great bar and reminisce on yet another piece of disappearing history. 'Rats, Spurts, Spirits, whatever you call it and whatever you might think of it, in two months it'll be gone and we'll be missing it as they ring last call at Parkers.

"Oh how we long for the days of our sweet, lovely Spirits. What we would not give to smell her rotten bosom and frothy hair? To taste her wicked brew and rest upon her soft, jiggly underbelly. What times we had. What times we had..."

Sorry about that. Just come see the Cling on the 18th. We'll all have fun.

Rev.

* a few words about Static Cling:

About STATIC CLING Since the mid-80's Static Cling has been performing both locally in upstate New York and throughout the northeastern United States, in venues ranging from the smallest and smokiest roadhouses to major clubs in Boston, Philadelphia and New York City. Their repretoire, both originals and covers, encompasses everything from classic rhythm & blues to extended psychedelic excursions. Among Static Cling's accomplishments are numerous single, EP and full-length recordings and compilation appearances. (Though recordings were originally released in various formats all are currently remastered and available on CD...over 20 different Static Cling and Static Cling-related titles!) Besides work under their own name Static Cling has also performed and recorded as the back-up band for both New York City rocker, Helen Wheels, and eccentric Boston folkie legend, Bob Jordan. All of these recordings have been well-received with airplay in the United States, Europe and Japan. College radio in New York City jumped on Static Cling's first single, "The Brady Bunch", which was also an underground hit in Berlin. Somewhere along the way Static Cling also took first place in the WCMF Homegrown VI competition in Rochester, NY- out of 209 bands. In May of 2004 their CD, "A Regular Amount of Whatever" reached ..2 on the playlist/rotation of KTUH *90.3 FM in Honolulu, Hawaii. Static Cling's music was once described in "The Rochester Freetime" as, "...the Ramones crossed with the Grateful Dead (not as weird as it sounds - they love to improvise yet rock with unrelenting energy and ferocity) with a heavy dose of Doors-like moodiness, Dylan-like imagery and Cramps-like unpredictability!" Static Cling has shared bills with Blue Oyster Cult, The Dictators, Screaming Trees, The Golden Palominos, Violent Femmes, The Ministry, The Goo Goo Dolls, The Tail Gators and The Glenn Phillips Band. Static Cling...psychedelic rock and soul music for the mind and body. "Static Cling is a great band, real cool." - Buck Dharma, lead guitar, Blue Oyster Cult.

"Entitled" Now Available on CDBaby.com

2008-01-10T18:46:00.000-05:00

Come and get it.

TEENAGER just wants you to know, our album may be your new favorite. I mean, come on. There's a lotta music out there, and a lotta great music, but, you know, a lot of it doesn't have what you need: a song. This album does. For ten bucks, or whatever it is, you get 17 great songs. All original rock and roll. Even if you only like 13 of them, still worth it.

So that's the Teenager plug.

The Tommy's gig in March is cancelled, or postponed. Not sure yet.

Don't forget to check out the Myspace.

And the Official TEENAGER Website and Archive.

Talks are underway for a mega-original-alterna-rock-fest in Auburn. Stay posted for more info. Performances by TEENAGER and Static Cling, perhaps the Stone Soul and other local Auburn faves.

Peace to yr geese,

rev

***Update: "Entitled" now available right here on this blog.

TEENAGER thanks Stone Soul Foundation

2008-01-05T16:53:00.000-05:00

The Teenager would like to thank the Stone Soul for lettin us squeeze one more into our, now legendary, holiday rock block.

Teenager opened up for SSF @ Spirits as part of the bar's 25th anniversary celebration. Happy Anny, Spirits, we'll see ya on the other side.

There may be one more for ol' Teenager at Spirits before she closes down, perhaps in February.

Thanks to everybody who came out to see us around town. Look for video clips at our website here.

Peace, love and good cheer in your New Year.

www.myspace.com/teenagerrock

TEENAGER sells out!

2008-01-04T16:05:00.000-05:00

Now you can buy TEENAGER music (mp3) on our MySpace site and on this blog. Buy tracks for 99 cents or buy the whole album ("Entitled"- 17 tracks) for $9.99. Enjoy.

TEENAGER Says Thanks

2008-01-03T15:23:00.000-05:00

TEENAGER rocked in the New Year @ the Auburn Public Theater this past Monday night as throngs of culture hungry party people ate, drank and enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere of a downtown reborn. We had a blast, enjoying great music from John Reilly, The "Unloaded" Basses and Eric Brown while occasionally popping over to the newly reopened Swaby's bar right around the corner on South Street.

TEENAGER's CD Release Party for their brand-spanking new album "Entitled" was a blast. Thanks to all who came out and spent hard-earned money on CDs. The CD is also available at our website www.teenagerrock.com
and on myspace, www.myspace.com/teenagerrock.

And! TEENAGER will be performing tomorrow night (Friday January 4, 2007 @ 9pm) with the Stone Soul Foundation @ Spirits as part of the bar's 25th anniversary celebration going on all weekend. Come on out, hear some great original rock and roll and support your local rock star(s).